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Special: Soft Switch

In order to comply with environmental IMO regulations in the SOx Emission Control areas (SECA) and ports the necessity to switch over from one fuel to another is more frequent. Changing fuels is a precarious manoeuvre that requires knowledge of fuels and engines. Also, this manoeuvre can take quite some time, up to one hour. To automate and smoothen the procedure, Mar-In Controls have developed a Soft Switch. Microprocessor controlled switching over from HFO to low sulphur light fuel and vice versa a "push of a button" and registering the switch-over to comply with MARPOL Annex VI regulations.

Mar-In Controls Soft Switch has been put on the market after the IMO convention laid down in the Marpol regulation to protect certain sea and port areas from SOx pollution by burning fuels in Diesel Engines. These areas are mentioned as Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA or ECA) areas.

Please watch the explaining video at bottom:

Operation

The Mar-In Controls Soft Switch is a well-engineered system, whereby the 3-way mixing valve installed down-stream the H.F.O. and gas-oil day tanks is automatically controlled to prevent temperature shock at the injection pumps and too low viscosity of the warmed up gas-oil. The operator only needs to push a button. The know-how of performing a fuel switch is incorporated in the controls of the system.

Switching from cold MDO/MGO to hot HFO

Too fast a temperature rise will cause heat stress to the injection pump(s). This leads to sticking and/or reduced service life.The Mar-In Controls Soft Switch controls the temperature difference over time of the fuel blend. This (adjustable) temperature gradient is a characteristic of the engine and is prescribed by the engine manufacturer.

Switching from hot HFO to cold MDO/MGOAgain heat stress for the injection pump(s) can occur, as well as too low viscosity of the fuel because of the accumulated heat in the booster system. The last is dramatically reducing the lubricating properties of the fuel, leading to sticking and shortened service life.The Mar-In Controls Soft Switch will control the temperature gradient and (when installed) a fuel oil cooler. For this it is necessary to have a Viscotrol viscosity sensor installed. This instrument is also accurately measuring the lower range of viscosities (0-4 cSt).

Scope of supplyThe entire system consists of an automatic 3-way valve, a temperature sensor, and a microprocessor based control system. The Soft Switch system can be incorporated in Mar-In Controls Fuel Supply Systems. Also, it can be supplied as an after-market system to co-operate with an existing booster module.

For every Soft Switch, Mar-In Controls performs the engineering duties to ensure the offered system will properly co-operate with existing system.

For microprocessor based Mar-In Controls' Fuel Supply Units and Booster Units the scope of supply is:

3-Way mixing valve with manual override and end contacts for indication of the HFO or MDO position.

Pt-100 element.

Control panel with selection switches, lamps etc. including a PLC with the temperature / time program

Connection to the existing control system

Optionally a fuel oil cooler with control valves

The Soft Switch system can be incorporated in all makes of booster units, also after market. For non Mar-In Controls fuel supply units the scope of supply is more comprehensive:

VISCOTROL viscosity sensor

3-Way mixing valve with manual override and end contacts for indication of the HFO or MDO position.

Pt-100 element.

Viscosity indicating, microprocessor based controller

Control panel with selection switches, lamps etc. including a PLC with a temperature / time program